In 2021, the Children and Community Services Act was introduced in Western Australia, with the aim to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in the child protection system.
As part of the legislative changes, Aboriginal Representative Organisations (AROs) must be consulted with as part of the placement of any Aboriginal child taken into care by the CEO. These organisations are also given the opportunity to develop and review the child’s Cultural Support Plan (CSP). A CSP is a framework that guides how a child’s cultural identity is maintained through connection to their family, Community, Culture, and Country while in care.
What Has Changed and Why?
The legislation introduced three key provisions:
- Section 81 – Requires the Organisations CEO to consult with ARO, an Aboriginal person who are members of the child’s family, or an officer with relevant knowledge of the child’s family or child’s community.
- Section 89C – The CEO must give an ARO the opportunity to participate in the preparation of any cultural support plan for an Aboriginal child.
- Section 90(2A) – AROs must be given an opportunity to participate in reviews of Cultural Support Plans.
These changes have been introduced with the aim of strengthening the cultural identity and wellbeing of Aboriginal children in Out-Of-Home Care, by acknowledging the importance of Aboriginal voices in decisions that impact Aboriginal families.
ARO’s are organisations with strong ties to local Aboriginal communities, their teams bring cultural knowledge, lived experience, and established relationships within community.
Their role is to provide advice and advocate for solutions that align with the best interests of Aboriginal children, not only in terms of safety, but also identity, connection, overall wellbeing and belonging.
How does it work?
ARO’s support families by having yarns to understand where parents would like their children to live and who might be a safe carer within the extended family or community. ARO’s help place children with family by using ‘family finding’.
Kateena Narrier is an Aboriginal Cultural Consultant that has been at the forefront of the ARO service since the beginning.
Kateena explains what family finding means, “Once we receive a referral from the Department, it’s our responsibility to find family.” From there, the ARO team begins connecting with the child’s relatives, whether that’s Mum and Dad, Nan, or Auntie, ARO start to piece together the bigger picture: Who is safe for this child? And who is best placed to care for them?
“We then identify a handful of family members then provide the names to the department to do the background checks.”
ARO’s ensure Aboriginal children’s care arrangements are shaped with meaningful input from Aboriginal people.
ARO & Yorganop
The introduction of ARO is part of a suite of reforms being undertaken by the Department of Communities. In 2022, Yorganop rolled out the trial in Armadale, the organisation was chosen based on its existing capacity and expertise.
When asked about what is of importance at ARO, Kateena discusses advocacy and creating a supported space for families to reunite with their children.
“We try to advocate for our families and empower them to start that communication back with the Department,” she explained.
“Nana, who was drug-affected, went to jail, you know, but came out clean and sober and did what she did. And then she started to reconnect because I had that conversation with her: Well, you’re in the best place. You know, you can put your hand up now. Yes, you’ve got a history – the Department knows that. But you’re actually a safe person.”
Similar Efforts in South Australia
A similar model has been introduced in South Australia. The Finding Families program is a partnership between the South Australian Department for Child Protection and Kornar Winmil Yunti Aboriginal Corporation, which launched in 2023.
This initiative aims to identify family-based carers for Aboriginal children and young people in care. Kornar Winmil Yunti CEO, Craig Rigney said;
“Aboriginal family-led decision making is key to reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.”
The Impact of ARO & Yorganop
ARO’s represent an important move toward a child protection system that better reflects the diverse communities it serves.
One local mother described the difference it made to work with Kateena
“Kateena listened to me, told me things. Like who I could talk to for support to get my babies back”
Kateena found my family, my Aunty took my babies”.
“It felt different. They understood what I was going through.”
The mother spoke about the importance of working with Yorganop’s ARO team, “It’s so good to work with Aboriginal people, Noongar people, who understood my situation with having my twin babies taken into care.”
The involvement of Aboriginal led organisations in child protection is not just about legal compliance but acknowledging the value of cultural identity in a child’s life.
